The important work of Queensland’s 410,000 small businesses will be celebrated again by the Newman Government with the 2014 Queensland Small Business Week.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey, today announced the second annual Queensland Small Business Week would run from 1-6 September 2014 with events across the state aimed at supporting small businesses.

“Queensland Small Business Week celebrates the outstanding contribution small business makes to our economy and local communities through job creation,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Small businesses employ more than one million Queenslanders, which represents more than 50 per cent of all private sectors workers.

“Small Business Week is a chance to celebrate this contribution and remind Queenslanders of the importance of buying locally.

“The Newman Government is unashamedly pro-small business and committed to growing a strong and prosperous small business sector, reducing unemployment to 4% and cutting red tape by 20% by 2018.

“For years, Labor hampered small business with increased regulation and red tape, but we are delivering on our election commitments with the help of small business.”

Ms Stuckey said 2014 Queensland Small Business Week would be even more successful than last year’s event.

“We aim to have even more events this year in every corner of the state from Coolangatta to Cairns and I encourage all Queenslanders to take part in some way,” he said.

Member for Toowoomba South, John McVeigh said Small Business Week was an opportunity for the community to come together and share ideas that could build a more resilient local economy.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Toowoomba economy. These are our friends, our mates, our community and I call upon all of Queensland to support their local small businesses,” Mr McVeigh said.

Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts said the Government was working hard to support the 11,905 businesses in the Toowoomba area.

“The Newman Government is actively supporting small businesses and I encourage local business operators and budding entrepreneurs get involved,” Mr Watts said.

The Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games will coordinate the week with individual events being organised by local Chambers of Commerce and business groups, amongst others.

For further information please visit the Government’s Business and Industry Portal www.business.qld.gov.au ( http://www.business.qld.gov.au/ ).